Aderinboye, R.Y., Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria; Oladeji, O.T., Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria; Abaire, M.A., Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria; Sobayo, R.A., Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria; Oso, A.O., Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria; Oni, A.O., Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria; Yusuf, K.O., Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria; Osho, S.O., Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria; Bamgbose, A.M., Department of Animal Nutrition, College of Animal Science and Livestock Production, Federal University of Agriculture, P. M. B. 2240, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria
This experiment investigated the performance of weaner rabbits fed concentrate diets supplemented with pawpaw leaves (PPL). Twenty-four male weaner rabbits aged 5 weeks, weighing between 350 and 450 g were used. Concentrate diet was supplemented with PPL in ratios 100:0, 70:30, 50:50 and 30:70. Rabbits were randomly allotted to the four diets in a completely randomised design for 8 weeks, with six rabbits per diet. Results showed that rabbits supplemented with 30 and 50 % PPL had higher (P < 0.05) dry matter intake to sole concentrate. At 70 % PPL, dry matter intake did not vary with other treatments. Weight gain was higher (P < 0.05) in rabbits fed 30 and 50 % PPL than sole concentrate. Rabbits fed 70 % PPL had lower (P < 0.05) weight gain to animals fed 30 % PPL but gained similarly (P > 0.05) to those fed on 50 % PPL and sole concentrate. Feed conversion ratio improved (P < 0.05) in animals fed 30, 50 and 70 % PPL. Rabbits fed 30 % PPL had the highest (P < 0.05) protein efficiency ratio. Rabbits had higher dry matter digestibility (P < 0.05) with PPL supplementation than sole concentrate while crude protein and fibre digestibility was higher with 30 and 50 % PPL. Haematological and serum parameters in rabbits were unaltered with feeding PPL. It is concluded that weaner rabbits can utilise PPL as supplement to concentrate diet at 30 to 70 % dry matter with positive responses in performance and nutrient digestibility without deleterious effect on the physiological status of the rabbits. © 2014, Springer Science+Business Media Dordrecht.